Press Sample
Admittedly, I've had this kit for awhile. I've tested it to see how well gel top coat secured embellishments (spikes specifically), general application, and removal. Wanna find out how it all went down? Of course you do! So keep reading!

Press Sample
The closer we get to summer the more summer collections start popping up on my to do list. On today's menu is SpaRitual's Reflect Collection for Summer 2013.

I usually gravitate towards neons or anything bright in the summer (or any other time of the year actually) so I had a hard time understanding why a company would release anything else for the summer months. Then I read SpaRitual's press release for the Reflect collection and the color choices made perfect sense.

"The Reflect Nail Lacquer Collection is inspired by the glowing jewel-tone of late summer afternoons and the fleeting shimmer of sunlight across the water and sky as the sun sets the horizon."

As the title suggests, I've got a few different way to wear accent nails using these shade. So let us begin shall we?

How about double accent nails using Joy on my index and middle fingers and Innocence on the rest.
Joy is a neutral beige with hints of gold, silver, and opalescent shimmer that is opaque in three coats. While Innocence is a muted mauve (possibly putty?) creme that is opaque in two coats.

If I had to choose a favorite from this combo, I'd be torn down the middle. I love a good creme (innocence), but for some reason the neutral with shimmer (Joy) is calling my name.

Why not keep playing around with double accent nails and move them to the index and pinky? I decided to go with Kindness as the accent and Positive Vibe for the remaining fingers.
Kindness is a fiery orange with gold shimmer that is opaque in three smooth coats. At the same time, Positive Vibe is described by SpaRitual as a orange hue. However, I see it as a yellow creme that teeters the line between Dijon mustard and peanut butter that reaches full opacity in two coats. Yes, I am hungry, but at least I'm descriptive right? Right.

Again, if I had to choose one out of this combo, yet again, I'd be cleaved. I love cremes (Positive Vibe), but I love just about any polish with gold in it (Kindness).

When in doubt, pinky out! For the third and final accent manicure I choose Freedom (pinky) and Inner Beauty (remaining fingers).
Inner Beauty is a copper shimmer that is actually very sheer. The look you see above took five coats to obtain. So if you're going for a softer look, this is the shade for you. Freedom, as stated by the SpaRitual press release, as a rich brown. For me it is a purple shimmer with glints of pink and blue micro glitter.

Choosing between the two of these was easy. Freedom, hands down favorite! I should probably mention it is opaque in two coats.

Beneath is a screen shot of the press release I was sent so you can read SpaRituals color descriptions yourself.

Nothing To Disclose
I know it's been awhile since you've seen any Icing or swatches here on Nail A College Drop Out so I figured why not today?

Last Monday I arrived at the conclusion that my weekend was too short took a mental health day from work and spent the afternoon with Mr. Nail A College Drop Out at the mall. We had dinner, we laughed, he bought me nail polish. All in all, not a bad day right? Now I'm getting beside the point. Anyway, we stopped in Icing and I found their three new speckled lacquers!

L-R Deliciously Scrumptious, Mint Choco Chip, Choco Chip

Let's start with Deliciously Scrumptious. In general, I'm not a fan of pink polishes so this one was an impulse buy. Opaque in two coats, smooth formula. I just don't like that it's pink.

Next up, Mint Choco Chip! Again opaque in two coats and the formula was easy to work with.
If you're curious as to how Mint Choco Chip compares to Illamasqua Mottle, here's a quick side by side bottle shot.

Icing Mint Choco Chip and Illamasqua Mottle

Both are green speckle polishes, yes. But, Mint Choco Chip is more blue based and Illamasqua Mottle leans more yellow.

Lastly, we have my favorite of the group, Choco Chip. Although this lacquer is named Choco Chip, it reminds me of melted cookies & cream. And that's great because I love cookies & cream, yet sad because I hate melted ice cream. Above is two coats and has the same favorable formula as the previous lacquers.

Okay confession time, I didn't notice the smudges on my nail until after this photo was uploaded. Forgive me?

I'm pretty sure if I didn't have easy access to an Icing my stash of nail polish wouldn't be so large.

Press SampleAffiliate Link
I work at a mortgage company and for obvious reasons we're not allowed to have the following items at our desks: paper, pens, and/or pencils, newspaper/magazines, cameras--why would I have my camera at work? There is absolutely nothing exciting enough in my office to photograph, but whatevs.--cell phones, mp3 players, etc. Nowhere on this list does it say anything about nail polish, top coats, and feathers.

And that is precisely why I was at work doing my nails on a Friday. For the second consecutive Friday.

I started with two coats of Sinful Colors Paradise and let dry. Next, I dabbed on Dazzle Dry Top Coat and carefully positioned the feather on my nail and cut the excess off. (I should mention that I did this one nail at a time.) Finally, I commenced this mani with two layers of top coat.

Getting the feathers to stick to each nail wasn't as easy as I originally thought it would be. Not difficult, but not smooth sailing either. The feathers themselves aren't as malleable as, let's say, paper. (I know what you're thinking, duh Briana they're feathers!)
If you decide to try this at home, you should wait until your top coat becomes somewhat tacky. Don't worry about smudges. That's what the final additional layers of top coat are for!

While I'm on the subject of trying this at home, these feathers are available in five piece sets in twelve colors at BornPrettyStore.com for $1.35.

But wait! There's more! Insert infomercial voice-over voice here. You can get these, as well as everything else at Born Pretty, for 10% off using code NCL91 at checkout!

Press Sample
Yes! More summer collections are rolling in here at the Nail A College Drop Out head quarters--aka the front door of my mom's house. Don't judge me.--Today I've got the three new summer shades from Pixi Nail Colour.

When I first looked at these colors I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do with them. Eventually, I came up with today's simple freehand design.

Like I said earlier, this mani was pretty easy. I just freehanded a border of semi circles using Summer Sunset, Wakeup Wisteria, and Fluoro Flamingo using a miscellaneous nail art brush.

Press Sample
So here you go! A simple summer nail look that only required three colors!

Pixi Nail Colour retails for $8 per bottle at Target and PixiBeauty.com.

Nicole by OPI
Announces Two New Limited Edition NeonMini Kits,
the Brand’s First Neon Lacquer

Nicole
by OPI launches its first neon nail lacquer with two limited
edition mini kits. Scandalous! Neons
includes vivid shades of blue, purple and pink while the Notorious!

Neons includes vibrant shades of green, fuchsia and
orange.

Each Neons kit includes a special white base coat, to be applied before
adding color, allowing true neon pigments to pop. “These kitsoffer the
hottest hues in a mini size to complement summer styles,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole byOPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.“Think of your nails as a blank canvas.With these color combinations, there are
endless options for creating works of art.”

Along with white base, Notorious! Neons includes: Green Neon (this gossip-stirring green
is the talk of the town), Fuchsia Neon
(this fuchsia is famous for being unabashedly bold), and Orange Neon (this outrageous orange doesn't know the meaning of
meek).

“The shades included in both sets are
perfect for accessorizing fingers and toes with bright pops of color,” adds Weiss-Fischmann. “The first step is to
apply the white base coat followed by the desired neon shade; finish with one
coat of Nicole byOPITop Coat Plus to achieve intense neon color with a glossy finish.”

Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting,
fast-drying, and salon-quality. Scandalous! Neons and Notorious! Neons mini packs will be
available in stores beginning May 2013 for $10 each at retailers including Meijer,
CVS, Duane Reade, H-E-B, Kroger, and ShopKo. Top
Coat Plus will be sold alongside the kits for $7.99. In Canada, the kits
will be available for $12.50 each and Top
Coat Plus for $10.99 at Loblaw, Jean Coutu, Rexall, London
Drugs, and Shoppers Drug
Mart.

Nicole by OPIoffers a
salon-quality range of bold, fashion-forward nail lacquers. The brand’s
heritage is based in OPI’s well-established foundation of excellence in both
color and technology, providing premium products to a broad range of consumers
looking for trendsetting nail lacquers.